The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington
The V&A Museum
The first time I went to the Victoria and Albert museum, I was shocked by its grandeur and mesmerized by the sheer size of the collections. The architecture is simply gorgeous. Going inside that building felt, for me, like a revelation. I had never seen anything like it in the United States. Here is a museum housed in an incredibly beautiful building in central London, it’s free to the public, and it contains some of the most prolific design elements spanning centuries. It is fitting that this is the first choice on my list of places to visit in the city of London because it encompasses everything I love: history, beautiful design elements, education, and, of course, tea, snacks, and an incredible gift shop! But first, some history about the museum.
A Beacon of Design Excellence
Nestled in the heart of London’s South Kensington, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) stands as one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to art, design, and performance. Since its establishment in 1852 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (thus the name), the V&A has not only celebrated creativity but also chronicled the evolution of design and its profound influence on culture, society, and history.
Founded after the success of the 1851 Great Exhibition, the museum was conceived as a way to educate designers and manufacturers while inspiring public appreciation for the decorative arts. There are many unique and innovative elements of the museum, like, for instance, it used to house a ceramics school, and it still retains incredibly beautiful ceramic work on the walls and in the building. It also boasts the earliest in-museum dining room and cafe which is one of my favorite places for tea in the city.
From intricate medieval textiles to contemporary fashion, the V&A is renowned for its unparalleled collections, which span over 5,000 years of human creativity. Because of how large it is, there is no way to spend just an hour here unless you choose a few highlights. I recommend multiple visits, if time allows, or at least a few solid hours with a snack break in the middle.
Planning Your Visit
First of all, the V&A is free to all! This is true of quite a few renowned museums in London, but it still always shocks me. After recently traveling to Chicago and paying exorbitant entrance fees to go inside every museum that I wanted to see, I was reminded of how lucky people are to have the opportunity to come and go as they please without a charge at this museum. What a luxury to step out and come back the next day if you missed something that you really wanted to see!
There are galleries filled with incredible art, beautiful sculpture atriums, themed sections that span thousands of years and design focuses. I’ll list a few of my favorites to check out below:
The Jewelry Section: I saw some of the most exquisite diamonds as well as historic jewels that date all the way back to the Anglo Saxon period.
Reconstructed Rooms: There are complete rooms taken from various buildings of historic significance including a Tudor hearth-room with original carved wood panels and an ornate fireplace and a few more breathtaking examples of various time periods and styles.
The Stained Glass Hallway: This area has beautiful stained glass suspended in front of the windows so that you can walk by them and see the colors and the craftsmanship.
One of the standout spaces in the V&A is the Plaster Hall, a gallery that houses life-sized plaster casts of some of the world’s most iconic sculptures and architectural elements. These casts, created in the 19th century, were created for educational purposes. Highlights include reproductions of Michelangelo’s David and Trajan’s Column. I couldn't believe my eyes the first time I stepped into this part of the museum, and I spent an hour talking to a volunteer all about the history of the collection and how it came to be.
Museum maps and guides are available online so that you can plan your visit in advance, or you can grab a paper map or ask for help at the information desk when you arrive!
The Historic Café: A Hidden Gem and a Feast for the Senses
No visit to the V&A is complete without stopping by its historic café, renowned as one of the first museum restaurants in the world. Opened in the 1860s, the café was designed to combine functionality with beauty, much like the museum itself. Its three lavishly decorated dining rooms—the Gamble, Poynter, and Morris Rooms—feature intricate tiles, stained glass, and murals by prominent artists of the Arts and Crafts movement. The café serves as a living exhibit of Victorian design and craftsmanship. When you go there, you’re not just enjoying a simple tea and scone, you’re also reveling in an atmosphere that is unmatched anywhere else in the city.
I have gone to the museum specifically to sit in the cafe for tea on a rainy day and then maybe slowly walked through the sculpture galleries afterwards. It’s also enjoyable, on a nice day, to sit outside in the courtyard of the museum in the sunshine, but first, you must go inside to see the incredibly beautiful space. On a practical note, there are very nice public bathrooms in the cafe, and if you’ve ever been to London, you know this is an important thing to remember! I’ve gone to the museum in the past when I was nearby specifically because I knew the facilities were clean and nice.
Exploring South Kensington, London
South Kensington is often referred to as London’s “Museum Quarter,” and this neighborhood is a vibrant district known for its cultural institutions, elegant architecture, and charming streets. It is home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Beyond the Victoria and Albert Museum, visitors can explore the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, nearby Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens and Palace, and Kensington High Street for shopping and food.
South Kensington is easily accessible via the London Underground and is a lively hub. If you use public transport to visit the V&A, there is a walking tunnel that takes you directly inside the museum from the South Kensington Tube Station, so on a rainy day, you can stay dry! However, if it’s dry, please walk around the area. There’s tons to see!
